Syracuse firefighters quickly douse porch blaze overnight

Syracuse, NY - No injuries were reported as city firefighters quickly doused a fire that broke out early this morning on the rear porch of a Butternut Street home.

District Fire Chief Don Bessette said the fire appeared to have been accidental and firefighters prevented the fire from extending much into the residence itself from the covered rear porch.

Bessette said residents of the first-floor apartment safely evacuated the building. The second-floor apartment was unoccupied, he said.

Because National Grid had to shut off power to the entire building as firefighters fought the blaze, the occupants of the first-floor apartment were unable to return to their residence, Bessette said. The Red Cross was assisting them at the scene, he added.

According to Bessette, the fire - reported at 4:35 a.m. at 1329 Butternut St. - was called in by city police. Firefighters had the blaze knocked down within about 10 minutes, he said.